HEALTH INFORMATION

Diabetes Pills Chart

Sulfonylureas

This category of diabetes pills causes the pancreas to make more insulin. Sulfonylureas can only be used by people whose bodies already make some insulin. These drugs can cause blood sugar to drop too low. These drugs shouldn't be used by anyone with an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Recommended for patients aged 65 and older if at risk for long periods of low blood sugar levels.

Biguanides

This category of diabetes pills slows the liver from releasing glucose (sugar) and improves a person's response to the body's own insulin. If biguanides are used alone, they rarely cause blood sugar to drop too low.

Cramping, gas, diarrhea. Lactic acidosis is rare but possible in people with serious heart, kidney, lung, or liver disease.

The first choice for type 2 diabetes treatment if diet and exercise don't bring blood sugar levels to normal. Used alone, it rarely causes low blood sugar. Avoid if also taking medicine for stomach ulcer or gastric reflux disorder.

Precautions: Patients should have a kidney function test before starting metformin. Metformin shouldn't be taken by anyone with kidney problems. Patients should stop taking metformin if they are running a high fever accompanied by continuous vomiting, diarrhea, or both.

Clinical review by David McCulloch, MD
Group Health
Reviewed 03/01/2014